By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
The battle of Piraeus is the big event in the schedule of Euroleague’s Game Day 10. There are also very important games at Barcelona, Moscow and Kaunas.
Game of the week: Olympìacos – Fenerbahce (13/3, 20:45 CET)
Olympiacos (8-1) has 13 straight wins at home and hosts Fenerbahce (7-2) which is in a very good shape with 6 wins in a row and an unexpected loss in TBL to Galatasaray. It’s a crucial match and can play a very important role in the home court advantage race.
Defense is the big weapon for Olympiacos (they have the best defense with 71,1p.). The Greeks are very strong on offense too, playing as a team with Vassilis Spanoulis being the floor general. Obradovic’s goal is to stop Olympiacos’ captain. He would love to see a very good game on defense from his team, which is also very able on offense. Bjelica, Bogdanovic and Zisis will be very important key factors of the game especially if we go to many half court situations. It will be a big game and a sold out. Here you may vote one of two teams’ super stars at Eurohoops Poll in the race for the top scorer of the season.
Honorable mention: F.C Barcelona – Maccabi (12/3, 20:45 CET)
F.C Barcelona and Maccabi have the same record (6-3). The winner will gain a big advantage for a finish in the top two spots of the group. The Blaugrana don’t count on injured Abrines. So Navarro, Hezonja and Oleson will have much more work to do. Pascual will give a lot of attention to personal defense. In theory Barcelona is better near the basket with Tomic and Pleiss, but in Israel Maccabi turned out to be the ultimate ruler at this part of the game. Barcelona is closer to the win, playing at home.
The question mark: CSKA – Εfes (12/3 , 18:00 CET)
CSKA (7-2) hosts Efes (4-5) in a very important game for both teams. The Russians want the win as they are on the race for the home court advantage on playoffs. The Turks hope to return to wins, after lots of defeats during the last weeks. Numbers show that CSKA is better. Itoudis’ team is more experienced and has a full roster. On paper it’s the favorite. But both teams have lots of ups and downs and nothing is impossible. Will it be a very easy game for CSKA or we will watch a thriller?
Under the microscope: Νizhny – Laboral Kutxa (12/3 , 18:00 CET)
Nizhny (2-7) hasn’t lots of chances to be on the next round anymore, but its first season in Euroleague is very successful until now. Laboral has made tremendous progress during the last games and it’s ready to “steal” a playoffs’ seat from Efes. Bagatskis’ team never gives up, bus the visitors’ motivation is much bigger. We believe that the fate of this match will be defined by the three point shots.
The other games
Zalgiris–Panathinaikos (13/3 ,18:45 CET)
The hosts haven’t any chances to qualify to the next round, nevertheless they are very competitive at home. Panathinaikos (5-4) must win in order to make one more step to the Top8. Defense will be the key factor at Kaunas.
Galatasaray – Crvena Zvezda (12/3, 19:00 CET)
Without hopes for playoffs (record 2-7) but with tremendous pride and loyal supporters, Galatasaray and Crvena Zvezda try to be competitive at each every game they have.
Real Madrid – Alba Berlin (12/3, 21:00 CET)
Real is in super shape (8-1) and the absolute favorite against Alba (4-5), which had already a successful and will travel to Madrid with many problems.
Armani Milan – Unicaja Malaga (13/3, 20:45 CET)
Euroleague’s disappointments but leaders of their leagues. The hosts have more talent and Malaga better team work. Perhaps Mediolanum Forum will play a major role. It is a very unpredictable match!